1538 mobile phones

Maybe.........most UK mobiles are locked to a specific network so it'll only work on Vodafone etc....Mobile companies say their phones are already heavily subsidised to entice you to buy them and they need to make up this shortfall. Yet the reality is that they want to retain your custom, not sell you the phone at reduced cost and then let you go to another network provider.

What I'd suggest you do is to get it unlocked; unlocking your mobile enables the phone to be used with any compatible Sim card on any network, from any country, by entering a code found via computer software. So, if you’ve an old handset that you want to put a new Sim card into, you may need to unlock the phone.

1 - First check whether your phone is already unlocked by inserting a Sim card from another network. If a message such as ‘Sim card restricted’ appears then you need to unlock it.
2 - The easiest way to unlock your phone is use a site like Trycktill ([url]http://www.trycktill.com/eng/)[/url], Unlockme ([url]http://www.unlockme.co.uk/[/url]) or Unlock Nokiafree ([url]http://unlock.nokiafree.org/)[/url]. These offer completely free unlocking for most Nokia phones and some other manufacturers. To find out the unlock code you’ll need the IMEI code, network and the phone model. Just enter the information and the site will automatically generate an unlock code for you. To find your IMEI code type *#06# into your handset, and note the number. You only have five attempts to enter the correct code so be extremely careful. If you’ve not succeeded by then, the phone will still work though you’ll have to go to the network or a retailer to get it unlocked which costs a lot more (still nothing lost though).
3 - If not your local market in the UK will undoubtly have a stall offering unlocking service for about £20.

Oh, and no, it's not illegal!

Hi there,
would just like to add my comment that when my hubby and I went to Jesolo in July, he up-dated his phone ( Vodaphone ) and had it de-barred home here, so that he could use it abroad. When he came to actually use it, all he could get was a signal for emergency use only :eek: We do not know why this happened!!
As a back-up I took along my cheapo pay-as-you-go phone ( Nokia ) and found that I could get the TIM signal? So I was able to text my son's just to say that we had arrived ok. :p
Has anyone else had problems with their phones like this when using them abroad?? It would be nice to know, so that next time all will go smoothly :p
Ciao
Francesca

If you want to/need to, e-Bay is always a good source of unlocked (cheap) phones. That way it's possible to leave one 'over there' & not have the hassle of switching SIMs.

I bought my cellphone in London 4 years ago. When I came to Italy, I just bought the SIM card-signed up for a contract knowing I would be here for a while...and no problems what so ever!

You can buy Italian SIM cards on-line at [url]www.textbay.net[/url] for about £25 I think delivery is about 4/5 weeks.
I have used contract & non-contract phones in Italy usually without a problem but last time the contract phone would not send txt, it would receive txt & phone out ok. I was told on returning home that next time try to change to another network whilst in Italy, TIM was the provider this time, Omnitel seemed to be ok before.
I actually bought an Italian cheap non-contract phone for about E70 and used this in italy as it was a lot cheaper with the amount of phone calls I had to make. Although buying a phone may be difficult if they don't know you.

You only have to show your passport to buy the cellphone.

Bought sim card yesterday in Jesi ( Le Marche ) Had to show copy of codice fiscale and passport (which were photocopied ) all it took was ten minutes cost for tim sim card was E15,00 incl E5,00 of 'free' top up

thanks for all the replies, suggestions. Vodafone UK are working with Nokia to get the unlocking code. I have to pay £20 as the phone is less than a year old. Will then need to get an Itlalian SIM card ......

[QUOTE=Stribs]You can buy Italian SIM cards on-line at [url]www.textbay.net[/url] for about £25 I think delivery is about 4/5 weeks.
I have used contract & non-contract phones in Italy usually without a problem but last time the contract phone would not send txt, it would receive txt & phone out ok. I was told on returning home that next time try to change to another network whilst in Italy, TIM was the provider this time, Omnitel seemed to be ok before.
I actually bought an Italian cheap non-contract phone for about E70 and used this in italy as it was a lot cheaper with the amount of phone calls I had to make. Although buying a phone may be difficult if they don't know you.[/QUOTE]

Just been to [url]www.textbay.net[/url] and ordered two SIM cards (one for me and one for hubby).

yes you can, I do it regularly, but you have to get your phone unlocked, with vodaphone £20!

Paola

[QUOTE=latoca]yes you can, I do it regularly, but you have to get your phone unlocked, with vodaphone £20!

Paola[/QUOTE]

And they want £131 to release me from my contract ......

[QUOTE=Technically Blonde]And they want £131 to release me from my contract ......[/QUOTE]

Take it down the market........they'll do it for about £20!

[QUOTE=tuscanhills]Take it down the market........they'll do it for about £20![/QUOTE]

But how does that release me from my contract? I signed up for a year so I guess legally I have to pay them the line rental for the rest of the year :confused:

I think this website provides cheaper SIM cards and activations....I say "think" because I'm reviewing in US Dollars and not UK pounds and unaware of the conversion.

I saw this company recommended highly by many on the [U][url]www.TripAdvisor.com[/url][/U] website.

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]http://www.telestial.com/products/italy_sim.htm[/COLOR]

It is usually possible to get a phone unlocked for £10 in a phone shop. Alternatively buy a sim free phone - lots available from reputable online sales for £40 - £60. Then go into a TIM, Wind or Omnitel shop in Italy with telephone, passport and codice fiscale. Immediate satisfaction. Wind recently had a €5 deal for pay as you go. Wonderful!

Wind comes up on my phone as I-WIND - caused much amusement with the Italian family I was staying with when I explained what it might mean in English!

[QUOTE=Technically Blonde]But how does that release me from my contract? I signed up for a year so I guess legally I have to pay them the line rental for the rest of the year :confused:[/QUOTE]
Sorry, I didn't make myself clear........... you ARE bound to your contract, but unlocking it will allow you to use another card in it.

You can unlock it, but will still have your commitment :(

Has anyone tried buying an italian sim on ebay.it? might be the cheapest way to do it...

[QUOTE=Will Bialey]Has anyone tried buying an italian sim on ebay.it? might be the cheapest way to do it...[/QUOTE]

I got one in a local mobile phone shop in Aulla; it cost 25EUR & I got 20EUR of credit........ you want it cheaper than that!?!

can someone give me a hand or help or something for I cannot text... it comes up in Italian ... and J and H dont appear or am I just bein ignorant... By the way we are here in Santa Vittoria... for 6 months rent whilst our house is done. Weather lovely so very happy. Janet

Congratulations Janet! Sorry I can't help with the phone but so happy to hear
you're writing from Santa Vittoria :) .

Please keep us informed about your progress, and if you get a chance to take some photos of your home project or area we'd love to see! Glad to hear the weather is so nice and that you're up and running.

[QUOTE=McCarraher].. it comes up in Italian ...[/QUOTE]

You need to change the dictionary (or T9) language. If it's a Nokia, go to MESSAGES, the WRITE MESSAGES, then OPTIONS, then IDCTIONARY, then select ENGLISH.

If it's not Nokia, there are a load of phone websites that have the user manuals on them. Search under Dictionary language.

Good luck!

[url]http://www.0044.co.uk/italy.htm[/url]